Book rest



Jan. 24, 1939. v u. SAWY-ER BOOK REST 2 Sheets-She't 1 Filed Oct. 28, 1935 INVENTOR; Ursa/a fan/yer ATTORNEY. v

Jan. 24, 1939. ufsAwYER 2,144,856

BOOK-REST Fiied Oct. 28, .1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' INVENT OR. Ursu a fan yer ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 24, 1939 nooKREsT fu sii a li diiiqiitoaiir. j, applieationnoctober 28, 1935; seri r1vo. 46,994 seeing; (c1.,,45"-i59 t This invention relates to book rests particularly adaptable for use by individuals when in a sitting or reclining positionfi i 5 In general'the object of my invention is the I provision of a book rest susceptible" of an infinite number of adjustments-so that a book or other piece of-reading matter may be held in any desired plane or angle with respect to a given reference plane.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which with the foregoing, will be set forth at length in the following description where that form of the invention which has been selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present specification is outlined in full. In said drawings, one form of the invention is shown, but it is to be understood that it is not limited to such form, since the invention as set forth in the claims may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a book rest in its collapsed position and embodying the objects of my invention.

Figure 2 is a mid-section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a mid-section taken on the line' 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a partial section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a partial section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a partial section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the book rest in its operative position.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the face of the book rest in its operative position.

My invention contemplates the use of a base or lower annular frame member I, secured at one point of its periphery to an upper annular concentric frame member 2, by means of a universal connection. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 7 and 8 the universal connection used in the present instance, consists of a T-shaped fitting 3, the cross bar of which is pivotally accommodated in a socket 4, secured to the frame I, and the leg of which is pivotally secured to a socket 5, secured to the frame 2. It will therefore be seen that the frame 2 is free to rotate about the axis of the leg of the T-shaped fitting 3, as well as about the axis of its cross bar.

As shown in Figure 3 the inner periphery of the frame 2 is provided with a track or channel 6, adapted to support a turntable which in the presentinstance consists of'a pair of fiat rings I and B-eOnnected-by" cross members-9 and l l as shown in-Figures 1' and '8, and-provided with spaced lugs orears i2,- l3'and MQthe outer ends of which extendinto'the channel 6.

Hinged 'to the upper face of the turntable as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 is a bracket or ledge l5, provided with an outwardly extending stiffening flange l6, and adapted either to be turned flat against the turntable, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or to assume a position at right angles to the turntable as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Resiliently secured to the stiffening flange I6 by means of rivets I! and coiled springs l8 are a pair of spring fingers l9 and 2| adapted to conform to the arcuate outer edge of the bracket or ledge l5, and provided at their ends with beads or balls 22, adapted to be accommodated in depressions or sockets 23 formed in the flange Hi. When the book rest is in its operative position these spring fingers are adapted to hold a book in its open position as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Resiliently secured to the outer face of the turntable by means of a coiled spring 24 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a finger 25 extending upwardly thru a notch 26 formed in the ledge I5, and at right angles thereto. The upper end of the finger 25 is urged downwardly against the turntable by means of the spring 24, and is adapted to be inserted in the backbone of a book, so as to hold the book in positive engagement with the turntable. The book may be disengaged by pressing downwardly against the lower end of the finger 25 and lifting the book away from the upper end of the finger 25.

Hinged to the lower frame l at a point diametrically opposite the fitting 3 is a prop 21 within which is adapted to slide or telescope an extension 28 as best shown in Figure 7. To the outer free end of the extension 28 is hinged a strap 29 which is notched or perforated so as to accommodate a setscrew 3| by means of which the strap and consequently the prop 21 may be detachably secured to the upper frame 2. The prop 27 and its extension 28 may be secured in any predetermined longitudinal position by means of a setscrew 32 threadably engaged in the outer end of the prop 21.

The under face of the turntable may be provided'with a pair of spaced spring clips 33 for the purpose of retaining a combined book mark and paper cutter 34. I

In its inoperative position the book rest as above described may be collapsed as shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the frames I and 2, the

prop 21 and the bracket or ledge l5 all lying in substantially the same plane. In its operative position the frames l and 2 are maintained in any desired open position by means of the prop 2'! and its extension 28. The ledge I5 is swung to its open position at right angles with the turntable, the backbone of the book to be supported on the turntable is slipped beneath the finger 25 until its lower edge rests on the ledge l5, and then the spring fingers l9 and 2| are disengaged from their sockets 23, and rotated to a position wherein the beads or balls engage the margins of the leaves of the book. In this position the frame 2 and consequently any book supported thereby may be rotated as desired about an axis generally defined by the fitting 3 and the setscrew 3 I, and the book may be rotated on its turn table to any desired angle. Preferably the diameter of the lower frame I should be such as to permit the frame I to be passed'over the knees of a reader, for it has been found that when an individual is in a partially reclining position with his knees up the book restas above described may be used with considerable advantage. In passing it is to be noted that the infinite number of adjustments to which a book rest of this character is susceptible, provides a means by which reading matter may be held in proper position relative to a readers eyes, regardless of whether the reader has assumed a semireclining position on his back, or whether he has turned on one side or the other.

I claim:

1. A book rest comprising: a lower frame; an upper annular frame hinged to the lower frame; a channel formed in the inner periphery of the upper frame; a table rotatably disposed in said channel and a prop associated with said frames for holding their free ends in spaced relation.

.2. A book rest comprising: a lower annular frame; an upper annular frame secured to the lower frame by means of a universal connection and concentric therewith when the frames are me. collapsed position; a channel formed in the :inner periphery .of the upper frame; a turn table supported within said channel; a ledge hinged to said turntable; and a prop secured at one end to the free side of the lower frame and at its other end to the free side of the upper frame.

3. A book rest comprising: a lower frame having a central opening therein adapted to accommodate the knees of an individual; and an upper frame hinged to said lower frame.

URSULA SAWYER. 

